Page 9

Chapter 8

E very time I see Eli, I’m jolted back to that horrible night at camp so many years ago. If Tess had been there, things might have played out much differently.

It was a dark summer night. I was seventeen, and it was my first time at camp without my level-headed best friend. Just a few weeks earlier, Tessa had graduated high school and wasted no time escaping Atlanta, moving to Athens to begin her first semester of college. I couldn’t blame her, given her strained relationship with her parents. And while I missed her, I was determined to have a good time.

That night, I had snuck out to drink in the woods with my bunkmates, Brittany and Ashley. We’d paid one of the custodial workers to smuggle in some Boone’s Farm, and he’d left it hidden under a rock near the big oak by the lake.

We found a quiet spot by the water’s edge. The night was still, except for the party raging across the lake. Even from a distance, I recognized the house—it belonged to my aunt and uncle. I hadn’t realized it at the time, but they were out of town, and my cousin Eli was throwing a birthday blowout.

Brittany giggled at something, pulling my attention back to my bunkmates as we worked on getting drunk. I remembered stumbling away from them to find a small patch of bushes where I could relieve myself.

What happened next would stay with me until the day I died.

As I’m walking back to my friends, a sharp cry cut through the night, and I freeze. Several hundred feet away, a white van is parked by a small boat ramp. Squinting, I see two figures forcing a young brown-haired girl into the van. Her screams pierce the air. Is that… PAISLEY?

I step forward to get a better look but trip over a fallen tree branch. The two figures turn and stare in my direction, and one of them looks… familiar.

I scramble to hide behind a tree, my heart pounding in my throat. They’re still looking at me, and I feel a surge of panic. Oh God, I need to run, but my body is frozen.

After what feels like an eternity, I think I hear the van pulling away. What should I do? I need to return to my friends and call for help. As I turn to hurry back, a hand suddenly grips my shoulder, jerking me around. My heart stops as another hand clamps over my mouth, silencing me. I try to scream, but no sound escapes. A cold, harsh voice whispers in my ear.

“ You didn’t see anything. Understand?” A shiver runs down my spine as the sharp edge of a blade presses against my throat. “I know who you are, and I know all about your family. If you say a word, I’ll kill them. Then you’ll be next. Do you want that for your mom, dad, and twin brothers?”

Tears spring into my eyes. I can’t make a sound, but I weep silently as the words sink in.

He removes his hand from my mouth and I manage to croak out, “I won’t tell anyone, I swear.”

“You better not,” he hisses coldly. “We’ve got eyes everywhere in this town. I’ll be watching you, Allie.”

With that, he shoves me to the ground and disappears into the trees. I stay kneeling, shaking, trying to steady my breathing. My heart is racing. I feel dizzy, my body cold and numb and suddenly, everything goes dark.

I wake up to find Brittany and Ashley staring down at me, and a camp counselor, checking me over. She looks upset, obviously not impressed that we snuck out when we were supposed to be asleep.

“You girls are in a lot of trouble. But first, let’s get Allie checked out by the nurse.” She gives us a sharp look. “Then we’ll call your parents.”

My parents arrive less than an hour later. The disappointment in their eyes is palpable, only making me feel worse. The silence on the car ride home is deafening and I know my life will never be the same.

I’ve never told anyone about what happened that night. The fear of losing my family kept me silent, and I regret it every day. Two days later, a body was discovered in a creek that ran off the lake, about four miles away, in the neighboring town of Stillwater. The remains were identified as my cousin, Paisley—a fourteen-year-old girl with long, brown hair.

I can’t forgive myself for what happened that summer night. If I’d spoken up, maybe I could have saved her. Maybe she’d still be here, living her best life. She could have grown into adulthood, found love, started a family. But instead, she’s gone, and I’m haunted by what I failed to do.

Paisley’s death is the reason I became a therapist. I dedicated my life to helping others because I couldn’t bear the thought of someone else being hurt because of my inaction.

A heavy sigh slips from my lips as I drive home, the weight of guilt pressing down on me yet again. I long for solace, but I know it won’t be found at the lake.

Despite the darkness that often creeps into my thoughts, I force myself to look for something good in each day. I have to. I’ll put on my happy face and try to enjoy the afternoon.

As I turn onto our street, I distract myself by taking in the scenery and the modest homes that line our neighborhood. When I pull into the driveway, Dalton’s truck is parked there and I frown, thinking it’s odd that he’s home early.

Inside, I find him in the recliner with a beer in hand. It’s barely noon.

I force a smile. “Hey, honey, I thought you were going fishing with your brother today.”

“Nothing was biting, so we called it quits. He glances up from the TV, a flicker of irritation and impatience shining in his eyes. “Where’ve you been?”

"Do you ever listen to what I say?” I joke, trying to keep things light. “I met up with Tessa at the coffee shop.”

Dalton reaches out and grabs my left wrist, his fingers tightening.

“Ouch, you’re hurting me,” I gasp, feeling a sharp pain shoot through my arm .

He doesn’t let go, his grip tightens even more. “We’ve talked about this. You’re my girlfriend, and I always want to know where you are.”

“I… I’m s–sorry, but I had my phone, so you could’ve called,” I stammer.

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, threatening to spill over. Dalton suddenly seems to realize what he’s doing. He releases me, and I massage my wrist, trying to ease the pain.

“Allie, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I overreacted.” He draws in a deep, audible breath. “Let me make it up to you. What are your plans for today?”

Letting out a shaky breath, I try to hide the lingering pain. I know he didn't mean to hurt me—he never has before.

“Tessa and I are going to hang out at the lake and get some sun,” I answer, my voice uncertain.

A bright smile lights up his face. “That sounds nice. Enjoy yourself. I’ll go into town and pick up some steaks and a bottle of your favorite wine. When you come back, we can spend the evening together.”

“That sounds lovely, honey.” Hoping he doesn’t notice my discomfort, I swallow the lump in my throat and steady my trembling hands. Pushing aside the thoughts of what just happened with Dalton, I quickly change, grab up my tote bag, and leave for the lake.